The History Guy: Guinea-Bissau Coup Attempt(Nov. 20-Nov. 30, 2000)

In a short but violent epilogue to the bloody civil war and subsequent intervention by neighboring Senegal and Guinea, General Ansumane Mane led an unsuccessful coup in an apparant attempt to seize power once again. General Mane triggered the previous civil war in 1998 and successfully overthrew the reigning president by in May of 1999. Mane then gave up power, seemingly having won his point by eliminating the former presidnet. Since that time, democratic elections were held in January 2000 and new President Kumba Yala took office.
Yala appointed top military officials from his own ethnic group, the Balanta, which led to a loss of power for General Mane. On November 20, 2000, Mane unilaterally appointed himself head of the military, triggering combat between his followers and troops loyal to the government.

Following heavy fighting in the capital, Mane and some supporters fled. On Nov. 30, a government unit of about fifty men surrounded Mane and his troops near the town of Quinhamel, some 20 miles north of Bissau. After a short firefight, Mane and at least eight of his men were killed. His subsequent funeral drew many civilian supporters and led to speculation that he is now taking on aspects of a martyr against President Yala's regime.

Sources

BBC: Rebels on the Run--News article from Nov. 23, 2000

BBC Analysis: What Next for Guinea-Bissau?--Analysis from the BBC on Dec. 1, 2000

AllAfrica.com: The Elusive Search for Peace--News analysis from Dec. 11, 2000

Please cite this source when appropriate:

Lee, R. "The History Guy: Guinea-Bissau Coup Attempt (Nov. 20-Nov. 30, 2000)"

http://www.historyguy.com/guinea-bissau_coup_2000.htm (2001).